Nellie R. Stevens Holly
Ilex aquifolium × Ilex cornuta 'Nellie R. Stevens'
This Holly is one of the most popular Hollys to grow as a screen in the Southern US. Unlike other Hollies, Nellie R. Stevens is more tolerant of high heat and humidity of the South. Thus, this Holly can grow into Southern Florida where others can not. This hybrid is a cross between the infamous English Holly and the lesser known Chinese Holly. Hollies are diocious which means they require a male to pollinate the female so the female can produces berries. However, what is very unusual amongst diocious plants is that Nellie R. Stevens will produce some berries without a male pollinator because it is parthenocarpic (from Greek parthenos meaning virgin and karpos meaning fruit). In order to have the gorgeous profuse abundance of berries will require a male pollinator. Good male pollinators include 'Edward J. Stevens' or any male Chinese Holly. Nellie is cold hardy to -10°F to -5°F. She can be pruned to be a single trunk tree or have limbs to the ground. She can be a stand alone focal/accent or planted together as a screen which is most popular in landscaping.
Hardiness: USDA Zones 6-10 (Protected areas of zones 5b/6a)
Mature Size: 20'-30' tall by 10'-15' wide
Light: Full sun-Part Shade
(Tolerant of some shade; will become very sparse with fewer berries in dense shade)
Water: Average-Moist
Extremely versatile for a Holly. Tolerates poor soils from dry to moist. Will tolerate some flooding.
Soils: Performs best in acidic soils
Unlike most Hollies this hybrid will tolerate slightly alkaline soils, but will not survive very high pH. Add soil acid to lower pH if soil is alkaline. Tolerates dry to moist soils. Very versatile compared to other Hollies; Tolerates compacted soils, and sandy soils.
Deciduous/Evergreen: Evergreen
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